Making
a Difference
by Anne
Elisabeth Stengl
“It's a big scary world. And I am one small girl. What
difference can I make?”
This question is such an exciting one for fiction writers.
The whole point of fiction, after all, is to take unprepared characters and
throw them into a scary situation, be that a murder mystery, an epic quest, a
romance, or a coming-of-age. But stepping out of the literary world back into
this place we call "reality," the question becomes much more
frightening.
When I began my writing career, I didn't realize just how
frightening this question was. I was inexperienced and enthusiastic. I assumed
that of course I would make a major
difference and everyone would notice and be wowed.
Six manuscripts, four novels, two contracts, and two major
awards later, the question, “What difference can I make?” has become a lot more
difficult to face. With each novel I produce, I face the overwhelming
frustration that is negative reviews . . . people who simply do not get my
work, who don't understand what I'm trying to say, who dislike my characters. I
face reviewers who will vehemently argue that fantasy has no place in the
Christian market and shouldn't be encouraged in our publishing houses. I face
bloggers who declare the omniscient narrative—my style of choice—a “publishing
travesty” and will do everything they can to sling mud at my work and discredit
me among my peers.
Literary awards, critical acclaim, and a majority of
favorable reviews do nothing to counterbalance the hurt of each of these
negative digs. Every time I write a novel, I place my heart on the line,
offering it to those who will read. And every time, there will be those who
turn up their noses in disgust, leaving me to wonder again, tearfully, “What
difference can I make?”
And of course, the answer is, “None at all.”
Because this career is not about me making a difference. I am too small, and I am too weak. Even the
story ideas ultimately don't stem from a source of inspiration inside me.
Year by year, manuscript by manuscript, God has used this
career of mine to illustrate to me that this work is His work. Not mine. These ideas, these bursts of creative
inspiration . . . they are a gift of His divine provision. Just as He provides
my daily bread, He graciously bestows upon me His daily inspiration. This
creativity, which is such a vital part of my existence, is not self-sprung or
self-maintained. It is by God's grace alone that I am a storyteller.
Every day He reminds me that I can make no difference. But He
can make all the difference. He can prepare the hearts of those He means to
touch through my fairy tales. He can whisper the inspiration into my heart, the
words that readers--His beloved children--need to hear.
So in this truth be fortified, fellow storytellers. You will
never make the difference. And, as it
turns out, that is good!
 |
| Click to reach Amazon. |
Anne
Elisabeth Stengl is the author of the Tales of Goldstone Wood, a series of
fantasy adventure novels told in the classic Fairy Tale style. She is married
to the handsome man she met at fencing class and lives with him, a gaggle of
cats, and one long-suffering dog in NC. Her novels include Heartless, Veiled Rose, Moonblood, Starflower, with Dragonwitch
due to release summer 2013. Both Heartless
and Veiled Rose have been honored
with Christy Awards.
To learn more about Anne and her work, please visit
Facebook- Anne Elisabeth Stengl (author)
Twitter- AnneElisabeth Stengl
